Graptosedum plant named ‘Sunsplash’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Graptosedum plant named ‘Sunsplash’ is disclosed, characterized by milky lemon yellow leaves, with a blush of greyed-purple. The new cultivar branches freely, and grows at a moderate rate, quickly filling the pot for commercial nurseries. The new variety is a Graptosedum, typically produced as a container plant for the patio or as landscape plants, as well as a variety of ornamental purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Graptosedum hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘SUNSPLASH’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Graptosedum ‘SUNSPLASH’, is the product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as a naturally occurring whole plant mutation of the proprietary, unpatented, seed parent, Graptosedum ‘California Sunset’. The new cultivar ‘SUNSPLASH’ was discovered by the inventor, Renee O'Connell, in March 2017, in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SUNSPLASH’ was first performed May 2017 in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse, by terminal vegetative cuttings. Graptosedum ‘SUNSPLASH’ has since asexually produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SUNSPLASH’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SUNSPLASH’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SUNSPLASH’ as a new and distinct Graptosedum cultivar:

-   1. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ exhibits milky lemon yellow leaves, with     a greyed-purple blush. -   2. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ due to its unusual milky lemon yellow     color, provides a great accent for dish garden centerpieces for the     table or patio. -   3. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ branches freely, and grows at a moderate     rate, quickly filling the pot for commercial nurseries.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar are similar to plants of the parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar differ in the following;

-   1. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ exhibits milky lemon yellow leaves     whereas Graptosedum ‘California Sunset’ produces blue green to rose     mauve leaves.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The new cultivar ‘Sunsplash’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Graptosedum ‘Blue Giant’. Plants of the Graptosedum ‘Blue Giant’ are similar to plants of the new cultivar ‘Sunsplash’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, the new cultivar ‘Sunsplash’ differs in the following:

-   1. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ produces leaves of milky lemon yellow,     blushed greyed-purple, whereas Graptosedum ‘Blue Giant’ produces     baby blue leaves. -   2. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ exhibits a faster rate of growth than     does Graptosedum ‘Blue Giant’. -   3. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ eventually produces a plant cluster     measuring 2 feet or more in diameter, whereas the cluster of     Graptosedum ‘Blue Giant’ is approximately 12 inches in diameter.

The new cultivar ‘Sunsplash’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’. Plants of Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’ are similar to plants of the new cultivar ‘Sunsplash’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘Sunsplash’ differ in the following:

-   1. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ produces fleshy, glabrous leaves, whereas     Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’ produces leaves that are more rounded,     with pruinose epidermis. -   2. Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’ displays rosettes of whitish aqua     leaves, whereas Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ produces leaves of milky     lemon yellow, blushed greyed-purple. -   3. Graptosedum ‘Sunsplash’ grows faster than Graptosedum ‘Vera     Higgins’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘SUNSPLASH’ grown in a greenhouse in Vista, Calif. (approximately 2300 foot candles).

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of the foliage.

FIG. 3 illustrates the new variety ‘SUNSPLASH’ on the right, on the left is the unpatented Graptosedum ‘California Sunset’.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and equipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variances of color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (light reflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventional photographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differ slightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Graptosedum plant. Temperatures ranged from −1° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Plants are approximately 8 months old.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Sunsplash’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from −1° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Graptosedum hybrid ‘SUNSPLASH’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Terminal vegetative cuttings. -   Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at approximately 24° C. -   Root description: Fibrous.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 4 months from a cutting. -   Container size of the plant described: 1 gallon. -   Growth habit: Upright branching sub-shrub. -   Height: Approximately 15 cm to top of highest leaf. -   Plant spread: Approximately 22 cm. Plant comprised of 6 main stems. -   Growth rate: Moderately fast. -   Branching characteristics: Moderate branching from a pinch. -   Stem:     -   -   Length.—About 10 to 12 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 8 mm.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C.         -   Internode.—About 5 mm.

FOLIAGE

-   Arrangement: Whorled. -   Average length: 3-4 cm. -   Average width: 1.5 cm. -   Width at base: Average 5 mm. -   Aspect of leaf: Slight upward curve. -   Leaf thickness: 8-9 mm. -   Shape of blade: Oblate to nearly spatulate. -   Apex: Mucronate. -   Base: Attenuate. -   Margin: Entire. -   Texture of top surface: Glabrous. -   Texture of bottom surface: Glabrous. -   Quantity of leaves per plant: Approximately 20 to 30 per stem. -   Color:     -   -   Young foliage upper side.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D. Center             145B, apex flushed Greyed-Purple N186C.         -   Young foliage under side.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D. Center             145B, apex flushed Greyed-Purple N186C.         -   Mature foliage upper side.—Base near RHS Yellow-Green 145C.             Center 145B, upper 30 to 50% flushed Greyed-Purple N186C.         -   Mature foliage, under side.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B, base             145C. apex 138B lightly flushed Greyed-Purple N186C. -   Venation: Parallel. Color same as leaf blade.

FLOWER

-   Not observed.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Not observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately     0° C. to at least 32° C. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance or susceptibility to     normal diseases and pests of Graptosedum has been observed. -   Drought tolerance: Tolerates at least 2 weeks of high temperatures     without supplemental water, showing no serious damage to plant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Graptosedum plant named ‘SUNSPLASH’ as herein illustrated and described. 